FILM LIFE’S 16th ANNUAL AMERICAN BLACK FILM FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES THE 2012 STAR PROJECT GRAND PRIZE WINNERS – SHERIAL MCKINNEY AND ROBERT HUNTER

One grand-prize winner will receive a walk-on role on NBC’s daytime drama

“Days of our Lives”

NEW YORK, May 4, 2012 — Film Life, Inc., announced that winners of its 16^th annual American Black Film Festival (ABFF) Star Project are Sherial McKinney of Sherman Oaks, CA and Robert Hunter of Cleveland, OH. Sponsored by NBCUniversal, this program is an international acting competition designed to spotlight emerging multi-cultural talent.

The ABFF Star Project was launched in 2009 as part of the common goal to encourage serious pursuit of the craft by providing a platform for undiscovered actors while supporting their career advancement.  The winners, Sherial McKinney and Robert Hunter, where selected among a stellar group of finalists which included Ozioma Akagha (Los Angeles, CA), Stephanie La Capra (New York, NY), Justin Chu Cary (Berkeley, CA) and Kenny Cooper (Los Angeles, CA).

Star Project entrants were required to submit two videotaped monologues online, one of their choice, and one selected by NBCUniversal and ABFF.  The Star Project jury, comprised of an esteemed panel of accomplished actors, directors and casting executives, selected three female and three male finalists.  From the six finalists, the two winners, one male and one female, will receive all-expense-paid trips to Miami, Florida, to this year’s ABFF festival. One grand-prize winner will be selected by NBCUniversal to appear in a walk-on role on “Days of our Lives” and will have the opportunity to audition before a leading casting director.

“NBCUniversal is honored to partner with the ABBF to encourage and reward promising young film artists with a chance to elevate their work in order to receive instruction, guidance and our full support in their endeavors,” said Kendra Carter, Director of Talent Diversity Initiatives, NBCUniversal.  “We look forward to provide these actors with the right platform that could launch their careers and allow an even greater audience to enjoy their talents.”

In addition to the paid trips to the ABFF in Miami, the Star Project winners will be introduced to the festival audience at The Winners Circle awards presentation on the closing day of the festival.

In 2010, Emayatzy E. Corinealdi was the Star Project winner.  This year, she will appear in two starring roles on BET; the emotionally dramatic film, “Middle of Nowhere,” with Omari Hardwick, and the dramatic series “Gun Hill” with Larenz Tate.

Jeff Friday, founder and CEO of ABFF states, “I am pleased to provide a platform for fresh, hopeful, talented actors to get exposure.  Through our commitment to the Star Project, we will continue to offer our winners opportunities to advance their careers as actors.”  He adds, “Next year we plan to bring this contest to the web to provide more visibility for the finalists and the winners.”

Sherial McKinney bio:

Sherial McKinney, an Orange County native, was raised (along with her five sisters) by her adoptive family from the age of 10 years old. Taking an early interest in vocal performance and university-wide Shakespearean competitions, it came as no surprise when McKinney decided to pursue acting full time.

Though her professional career began just a few years ago, McKinney’s talent and determination have allowed her to work with hit director Melina Matsoukas in the UK release of Leona Lewis’s “Bleeding Love” as the dramatic lead, garner a lead role in the Netflix featured film “He’s on My

Mind” (2009), and host for Style Network’s producers of Vimby.com. Recently, McKinney has also been seen in TV One’s newest series “Will to Live.”

Praised by industry talents such as Kym Whitley and Alphonso McAuley for her comedic timing, authenticity and dedication to her craft; the sky is the limit for this gifted young actress.

Robert Hunter bio:

Robert Hunter is a Cleveland native who moved to Los Angeles at the age of 18. He started in theatre with the roles of Frank Elgin in the Clifford Odets play “The Country Girl” and East in John Cariani’s romantic comedy “Almost Maine.” Hunter made his film debut in 2011 when he starred in a short film entitled “LA Bros.” Hunter is a young actor who is focused on traveling and learning from the best.

HBO (Founding and Premier Sponsor); Gold Peak Tea (Premier); gmc Television Network, American Airlines, Cadillac and CNN (Official Sponsors); Grab Media, NBCUniversal, Nickelodeon, smartwater, Nielsen, BET Networks and Wells Fargo (Supporting Sponsors); The Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau, Miami Beach Visitor & Convention Authority and Miami Community Redevelopment Agency (Host Sponsors) and SAGIndie, One Village Entertainment, Miami Film Month, thirdREEL (Promotional Partners); Media Sponsors include: Black Enterprise, Uptown (Official Level); Jones Magazine and Precious Times (Supporting Level).

The ABFF is a property of Film Life, Inc., a New York-based event marketing, production and film distribution company founded in 2000 by Jeff Friday (CEO).  For full details on this year’s festival, please visit www.abff.com.

For more information on the ABFF Star Project competition, please visit:

http://abff.com/theStarProject/2012/.

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Black Girls Rock! 2012 Queens Camp for Leadership & Excellence

A TWO-WEEK SUMMER LEADERSHIP INTENSIVE FOR GIRLS AGES 13-17 HOSTED IN UPSTATE NEW YORK FROM JULY 21-AUGUST 4 FEATURING ARTS AND CULTURE WORKSHOPS, OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES AND ATHLETICS, ACADEMIC ENRICHMENT, GUEST SPEAKERS AND MORE 

Applications for camp counselors are also being accepted 

BROOKLYN, NY – APRIL 9, 2012 –BLACK GIRLS ROCK!  Inc. is now accepting applications from around the world for its 2012 QUEENS CAMP FOR LEADERSHIP & EXCELLENCE designed for girls aged 13-17. The two-week intensive leadership program will be held at a beautiful fully-equipped camp facility located in Rhinebeck, NY from July 21, 2012 to August 4, 2012. This overnight camp is designed for exemplary teenage girls of color.

This year, fifty applicants, twenty more than last year, will be awarded full scholarships to attend and participate in the 2012 BLACK GIRLS ROCK! QUEENS CAMP.  The scholarships are all inclusive of room and board made possible through the generous support of private donors and corporate sponsors.   This year, BLACK GIRLS ROCK!  has extended the application process to include international students in hopes of fostering a sense of global sisterhood between girls from diverse backgrounds.

Through a highly selective application process, BLACK GIRLS ROCK! QUEENS CAMP will accept female applicants who exhibit strong leadership qualities, high moral character, and excellent academic standing.  For more information, and to download an application, please visit www.blackgirlsrockinc.com  or call 718.789.ROCK!  The application deadline is May 15.

Beverly Bond, Founder and CEO of BLACK GIRLS ROCK! states, “ Witnessing the emotional and visible growth in the girls from last year’s QUEENS CAMP is the driving force behind my passion to keep the program going and growing.  She adds, “With the barrage of media messages hacking away at the self esteem and self-worth of young girls of color, it is imperative that BLACK GIRLS ROCK! continues to empower the next generation of emerging leaders who hail from all over the globe with this unique camp experience.”

This year’s BLACK GIRLS ROCK! QUEENS CAMP will highlight the importance of personal and collective accountability, teamwork, ties between volunteerism and community building, civic engagement, problem solving, self-reflection, and healthy decision-making skills. In addition to the signature BLACK GIRLS ROCK! DJ 101 workshop, The Empowerment Circle, Taste the World Culinary Culture Series, and Spoken Workshops for creative writing and performance, the curriculum will explore academic enrichment for college prep, career building, and life skills training. The camp offers a myriad of sports and recreational activities including hiking, boating, arts and crafts workshops, and a challenging rope course.  Located at a camp originally designed for special needs children, BLACK GIRLS ROCK! QUEENS Campers will take on volunteer roles to assist other campers with day-to-day activities such as maintaining the campgrounds, physical activities, and communal activities such as cafeteria aides.

The BLACK GIRLS ROCK! QUEENS CAMP promotes a youth culture of excellence by providing the intellectual support and social skills necessary for our participants to uphold important qualities such as self-confidence, social development and active leadership. Participants leave the camp feeling a deeper commitment to global sisterhood, social responsibility, academic integrity, and self-advocacy.

ABOUT BLACK GIRLS ROCK! ™ INC.

Launched in 2006, BLACK GIRLS ROCK!™ INC. is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, which provides mentoring and enrichment programs for teenage girls of color. The organization was established as a solution to the prominence of negative images of women of color seen in mainstream media or insinuated in mainstream music lyrics. By establishing a dynamic mentoring program coupled by innovative arts workshops BLACK GIRLS ROCK!™ Inc. has improved the self-esteem of its program participants and empowered young women to be creative, to strive for excellence, and to form meaningful bonds with one- another. In addition, through our programs including the Empowerment Circle and the BLACK GIRLS ROCK!™ Awards we endeavor to create a balance of the images of women in media, by showcasing positive leaders who ultimately make a significant impact on the lives of young girls.

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